RESUMO
RATIONALE: Altered glutamate NMDA receptor function is implicated in schizophrenia, and gender differences have been demonstrated in this illness. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the interaction of gonadal hormones with NMDA receptor-mediated locomotor hyperactivity and PPI disruption in mice. RESULTS: The effect of 0.25 mg/kg of MK-801 on locomotor activity was greater in male mice than in female mice. Gonadectomy (by surgical castration) significantly reduced MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion in male mice, but no effect of gonadectomy was seen in female mice or on amphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity. The effect of MK-801 on prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI) was similar in intact and castrated male mice and in ovariectomized (OVX) female mice. In contrast, there was no effect of MK-801 on PPI in intact female mice. Forebrain NMDA receptor density, as measured with [3H]MK-801 autoradiography, was significantly higher in male than in female mice but was not significantly altered by either castration or OVX. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that male sex hormones enhance the effect of NMDA receptor blockade on psychosis-like behaviour. This interaction was not seen in female mice and was independent of NMDA receptor density in the forebrain. Male sex hormones may be involved in psychosis by an interaction with NMDA receptor hypofunction.
Assuntos
Hormônios Esteroides Gonadais/metabolismo , Hipercinese/induzido quimicamente , Hipercinese/metabolismo , Receptores de N-Metil-D-Aspartato/fisiologia , Estimulação Acústica/métodos , Animais , Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Maleato de Dizocilpina/toxicidade , Feminino , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Atividade Motora/efeitos dos fármacos , Atividade Motora/fisiologia , Orquiectomia , Ovariectomia , Inibição Pré-Pulso/efeitos dos fármacos , Inibição Pré-Pulso/fisiologia , Receptores de N-Metil-D-Aspartato/antagonistas & inibidores , Reflexo de Sobressalto/efeitos dos fármacos , Reflexo de Sobressalto/fisiologiaRESUMO
The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of serotonin-1A (5-HT(1A)) receptors in the effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymetamphetamine (MDMA) on prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle (PPI) by comparing male and female wild-type (WT) mice and 5-HT(1A) receptor knockout (1AKO) mice. MDMA dose-dependently decreased PPI in male and female mice although female mice were more sensitive at the 100-ms inter-stimulus interval (ISI). In male mice, 10 mg/kg MDMA disrupted PPI in 1AKO but not in WT controls. There was no genotype difference at higher or lower doses of MDMA. In female mice, there was no difference between genotypes at any dose of MDMA. Average startle was reduced by 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg MDMA similarly in male and female mice and all genotypes. These results show an involvement of 5-HT(1A) receptors in the effect of MDMA on PPI in male, but not female mice.